Playoff Gimmicks

One thing I love about the postseason is that it never fails to give us a great side-show, story lines in that matter. It could be about bitter rivals slugging it out once again, a bad run during the postseason a year ago---redemption, a flop, or it's just a great match-up marketing-wise. 

The reason why I'm not a big fan about watching the Playoffs in the PBA is that oftentimes, these plots are too predictable. You have this feeling that something bad is bound to happen. Example, when a team goes up 1-0 or 2-1 in a series, it is expected that the other team will even the series out. It happens because teams and corporations want to maximize this marketing opportunity wherein 10,000+ people are watching in the stands while thousands more on their television sets. They do this to get their brand out more---to reach out. This is just my opinion. Possibly the truth but maybe far from it. 

Observe how the referees will call the game during games such as those. They usually call it in favor of the team catching up in the hopes that their whistles could potentially give them the highly coveted W. The disparity in fouls and free throw attempts are glaring and obvious even leading to the coaches  to constantly complain about the officiating. And yes, they do get fined. 

Note, how many Game 7s have there been for the past several years? Food for thought. 

Exhibit A: Pamboy Raymundo's Sneaky Elbow and Batok 

Exhibit B: Coach Tim Cone accidentally gets 'tripped' by the official

I'm not saying these events were purposely done for the said reasons above. We can infer that these were brought about by the intensity and the emotion of the moment; the entire series in particular. You be the judge of things. Pick your side of the story. 

Though these are the very things that make us enjoy the postseason. Close games and tight match-ups give us, the fans, an exhilarating and exciting feeling. It makes us anxious for the next game. It occasionally even gives us the goosebumps on who will come out on top after each game. 

All I'm saying is that can we let these match-ups run their course. If a team should sweep a certain team, let it happen. Let us not affect the course or the outcome of the game. Bilog nga ang bola... so let the players decide who really should be the victor. 

Notes: Pamboy Raymundo should be suspended... The official didn't purposely trip Coach Tim though we have to give props to him for an excellent fall... I'm not a big fan of Talk N' Text so BMEG in 7.